METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR DETERMINING CHARACTERISTICS OF PARTICLES
First Claim
1. Apparatus for optimizing a path length of light in a particle dispersion to improve the measurement of light scattered from particles, comprising:
- a) an optical system for illuminating a particle dispersion,b) a detection system comprising at least one detector for quantifying characteristics of light related to light scattered by at least one of said particles,c) a sample cell, comprising two optical windows, which confine said particle dispersion and pass light, from a light source, through said particle dispersion to illuminate at least one of said particles,d) means for adjusting a separation between said optical windows to change a path length of light in said sample cell, wherein said adjusting is performed by utilizing an electronic controlled actuator, ande) means for controlling said actuator based upon characteristics of light scattered from at least one of said particles.
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Abstract
Method and apparatus are described for improving measurements of scattered light from particles by controlling multiple scattering and coincidence count levels. The scatter path in the particle dispersion and particle concentration are adjusted to reduce multiple scattering in ensemble particle scattering measurement. And the particle dispersion volume and particle concentration are adjusted to reduce coincidence counts in single particle scattering measurements. Alignment of the optical system, for measuring scattered light, is maintained by a reflection apparatus.
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Citations
31 Claims
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1. Apparatus for optimizing a path length of light in a particle dispersion to improve the measurement of light scattered from particles, comprising:
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a) an optical system for illuminating a particle dispersion, b) a detection system comprising at least one detector for quantifying characteristics of light related to light scattered by at least one of said particles, c) a sample cell, comprising two optical windows, which confine said particle dispersion and pass light, from a light source, through said particle dispersion to illuminate at least one of said particles, d) means for adjusting a separation between said optical windows to change a path length of light in said sample cell, wherein said adjusting is performed by utilizing an electronic controlled actuator, and e) means for controlling said actuator based upon characteristics of light scattered from at least one of said particles. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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2. Apparatus for adjusting the concentration of particles, comprising:
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a) means for introducing a plurality of particles into a first flow loop, the particles being contained in a fluid, and means for circulating the fluid through the first flow loop, and b) valve means for selectively allowing some of the fluid in the first flow loop to enter a second flow loop, distinct from the first flow loop, the second flow loop including means for counting and/or analyzing at least one particle flowing in the second flow loop, wherein the valve means comprises means for transferring fluid from said first flow loop to fluid in said second flow loop, and wherein the valve means transfers an amount of fluid which produces an optimum count rate of particles of interest and/or an optimum particle concentration, measured from particles in said second flow loop.
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3. Apparatus for maintaining alignment in an optical system for measuring scattered light comprising:
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a) illumination means for illuminating at least one particle in a particle sample region, b) a detection means comprising at least one detector for quantifying characteristics of light related to light scattered by at least one particle, and c) a particle sample region wherein said illumination means illuminates at least one particle, d) a retro-reflector means to reflect light to said detection means, e) a support means for attaching said illumination means and detection means to a common support structure, wherein the optical axis of said illumination means and the optical axis of said detection means are aligned to utilize the optical characteristics of said retro-reflector means to maintain proper alignment of light from said illumination means and/or scattered light onto at least one detector in said detection means. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12)
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13. A method for optimizing a path length of light in a particle dispersion to improve the measurement of light scattered from at least one particle, comprising:
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a) illuminating a particle dispersion, b) detecting characteristics of light related to light scattered by at least one particle, c) confining said particle dispersion between two optical windows in a sample cell, d) passing light, from a light source, through said particle dispersion to illuminate at least one particle, e) adjusting a separation between said optical windows to change a path length of light in said dispersion, wherein said adjusting is performed by utilizing an electronic controlled actuator, and wherein said adjusting is based upon characteristics of light scattered from at least one particle. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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22. A method for adjusting the concentration of particles, comprising:
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a) introducing a plurality of particles into a first flow loop, the particles being contained in a fluid, and circulating the fluid through the first flow loop, b) utilizing a valve to selectively allow some of the fluid in the first flow loop to enter a second flow loop, distinct from the first flow loop, the second flow loop including and counting and/or analyzing at least one particle flowing in the second flow loop, wherein the valve transfers fluid from said first flow loop to fluid in said second flow loop, and wherein the valve transfers an amount of fluid which produces an optimum count rate of particles of interest and/or an optimum particle concentration, measured from particles in said second flow loop. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 29, 30, 31)
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Specification